I just did (for the umpteenth time). It's $3000 spend within 3 months to get the extra 50k.

And guess what I could with that same $3000 spend? Get 100k instead of 50k! By applying instead for 2 Citi HHonors Visa cards:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...nors-visa.html

and spending $1500 on each (within 4 months).

I thus don't see the point of choosing the upgrade to Surpass unless you're "maxed out" over at Citi.

(Even if you only want 50k, $1500 spend in 4 month on the Citi Visa seems a lot easier for many people than $3000 spend in 3 months on the Amex. Especially if you have to do some spend during that time at places that only take Visa/MC.)